Editor:
It is with interest I read the letter from Jim Pissot and the response last week from Louise Menard, chief operating officer of Golder Associates Ltd. regarding Three Sisters Mountain Village.
The discussion and process regarding the Three Sisters Mountain Village is ongoing, needs a resolution and is extremely important to all residents and the long-term future of Canmore. It cannot, nor should it, proceed without the most rigorous examination of the long-term environment and economic impacts.
Mr. Pissot’s earlier letter suggested that Golder, the environmental consultant that has been retained by the receiver (PricewaterhouseCoopers) would write slanted reports because they are getting paid by that firm. Ms. Menard in her letter last week, very professionally rejected that accusation.
I have had extensive experience in Ontario on one of Canada’s largest and most controversial landfill projects. For over 10 years the approval process generated huge public opposition throughout the province from many constituencies including, local, provincial, national, First Nations and even international.
Golder was our hydrogeogy consultant on the project. The company’s role was critical as groundwater contamination was at the centre of the public concern.
In her letter, Ms. Menard made a statement that reflects their role: “We tell our clients what they need to know, not what they want to hear.” In my eight years of dealing with the company, I can attest this always happened. Never did the principals involved, in our case lead by Sean McFarland and Dr. Frank Barone, change or compromise their research or resulting opinions, either in private meetings with our company, or in public presentations. Money played no role.
In my view, the process and dialogue on where the Three Sisters Mountain Village should go is unfolding properly. We are having extensive consultation, council is listening to all sides, there are open meetings and outside professionals are “peer reviewing” the studies done by Golder and the other consultants.
As Ms. Menard, points out, Golder has a worldwide reputation for integrity and technical excellence. Based on my personal experience with the company, we can all be very confident that Golder would never compromise that position for a single client like the receiver.
The Three Sisters development has become an emotional issue in many ways. Golder’s role is to stay above that emotion and deliver to the client and the community the best options. In my view they are extremely qualified to do that, and will do it, without any regard to the contractual arrangements.
Gordon E. McGuinty,
Canmore
